HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Dangling It - by Brad Wiegmann

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 1996
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    25,840
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Dangling It - by Brad Wiegmann


    Sometime to catch a crappie you have to dangle it. Dangle what? Dangle the lure above the crappie to strike a lure and no time is dangling it more important than during the winter months.

    Winter welcomes in cold fronts and dropping water temperatures. Crappie tend to suspend or hang out in the channel drop-off areas as water temperatures drop to the mid-50s. During that period of time crappie are moving toward wintertime habits while keeping in close proximity to baitfish.

    Name:  tim blackley setting the hook.jpg
Views: 709
Size:  67.9 KB

    “I start looking for crappie at the middle to the mouth of creeks hanging out on the edge. Water temperatures in the mid-50s start the migration and moving crappie to deeper water habitat. As the baitfish move out of the creeks so will the schools of crappie,” said Strike King Lures crappie pro Tim Blackley.

    During this period of time, Blackley relies heavily on his marine electronics to help him locate and catch crappie. Blackley actually relies on several different models and brands when idling around to find productive areas. It all starts with locating the shad since they are a major source of their diet.
    “It’s critical to position your lure correctly to get a crappie to strike the lure. I like to dangle the lure above them since crappie feed up. That’s right, crappie feed up,” said Blackley.

    Normally, Blackley will spider rig for crappie during this period of time. He will put out 8 rods total fanning them out in Driftmaster Crappie Stalkers. Blackley prefers Driftmaster Crappie Stalkers (www.driftmaster.com) because they are adjustable.
    “I like my rod tips to be 6-to12-inches away from the surface of the water. It’s easier to see a strike that way. Plus Crappie Stalkers last forever,” said Blackley.

    Not all will be rigged the same way. Blackley will have 8 16-foot B’n’M Poles (www.bnmpoles.com) Original Buck’s Graphite Jig Poles out with 4 rods with a single jig and the other 4 with a B’n’M Poles Capps & Coleman Minnow Rigs. His rigs his rods with B’n’M Poles PRO100 spinning reels with 6-or 8-pound test monofilament Vicious clear blue fishing line.

    Name:  joker dangle it.jpg
Views: 616
Size:  3.4 KBName:  mr. crappie jig head.jpg
Views: 632
Size:  2.6 KB

    On his jig rods, Blackley will have 2 Mr. Crappie Jokers (www.strikeking.com) tied on. A lighter 1/16-ounce Mr. Crappie Jig Head above a heavier 1/8-ounce Mr. Crappie Jig Head both rigged with Jokers. Joker’s features a solid body with 3 vibrating tails.

    As for colors, Blackley likes a Pink or Orange Mr. Crappie Jig Head and depending on water clarity a Pink/Chartreuse or Orange/Chartreuse in muddy or stained water and Bluegrass or natural color patterns in clear water. As for the Minnow Rigs, Blackley will rig it with just a minnow or a tube bait and minnow.

    Once Blackley finds the schools of crappie he will slow down and fish them. “I try to keep my boat speed at .2- to .3-mph. It mostly depends on how aggressive the crappie are that day,” said Blackley.

    Crappie will school up during this time. “As a tournament angler, I want to fish for bigger fish. So when I catch a couple smaller, good eating size crappie I will move. Big crappie don’t seem to like to compete with other crappie for food,” said Blackley.

    “The biggest key to fishing this time of year is to follow the bait and slow up and just don’t forget to dangle it above the crappie to entice them to strike,” said Blackley.

    Name:  tim blackley dangle it.jpg
Views: 659
Size:  138.5 KB
    Owner
    "Wear your PFD" "No texting n driving" slab
    Crappie.com members are the best
    Thanks captdave, mighty thanked you for this post

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Alcoa, Tennessee
    Posts
    8,938
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Great info!
    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  3. #3
    skeetbum's Avatar
    skeetbum is online now Crappie.com Legend - Moderator Jig Tying Forum * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    22,857
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Good read, that should help some.
    Creativity is just intelligence fooling around
    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  4. #4
    shipahoy41's Avatar
    shipahoy41 is offline Crappie.com Legend - 2022 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Not Lakeside yet
    Posts
    14,432
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Excellent article.
    Aquatic Species Removal Engineer.
    May God be with you. Keep CALM and STAY ANCHORED with your faith.

    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  5. #5
    "G"'s Avatar
    "G" is offline Super Duper Moderator - 2012 Crappie.Com Man of the year & 2018 Crappie.com Decade of Exceptional Service Awards * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Belden, MS
    Posts
    95,225
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Good info for sure
    I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
    PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
    PICO Lures Field Rep
    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Dunedin, Fl.
    Posts
    104
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Good read, thanks.
    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    East Tennessee
    Posts
    3,403
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Great article.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    Thanks Slab thanked you for this post

  8. #8
    tlefire's Avatar
    tlefire is offline Crappie.com Legend * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    7,188
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Good read, thanks Slab.
    2018 G3 Sportsman 17
    2018 Yamaha F90 four stroke
    Ultra 106sv bow/console
    Livescope Terrova 24v Ionic lithium batteries

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    31,657
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Yup good article. I took a couple tips from it.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    905
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Thanks for sharing

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP